Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Brings Tradition of Academic, Spiritual and Athletic Excellence to East Cobb Families
Founded in 1998, East Cobb’s Mt. Bethel Christian Academy has maintained a reputation for excellence for more than a decade. With the addition of Jim R. Callis as head of school in July 2011, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is poised to realize its potential as a world-class institution.
An educator for more than 20 years, Callis came to MBCA from St. Paul Christian Academy in Nashville.
“I do this because it’s what God called me to do, and there’s not a day that I’m not reminded of that,” said Callis. “I couldn’t be happy doing anything else.”
But Callis emphasizes that continuing the success of MBCA is not a one-man show. He credits the members of the Board and the exemplary staff for maintaining the highest standards of academic, athletic and spiritual excellence to prepare students for success in the area’s most competitive public, private and applicant-only programs.
More than 480 students are enrolled in grades K-8 at MBCA, which admits students of average to above-average ability. One of the greatest advantages of a Mt. Bethel education is small class size – kindergarten classes have only 18 students, grades 1-5 up to 20 and grades six through eight no more than 18. In addition to a classroom teacher, students in K-5 have the added benefit of a full-time teaching assistant in each classroom.
All teachers are certified and average 14 years of teaching experience. The majority hold a master’s degree or higher.
“The role models we have for our children are unsurpassed,” said Callis, adding that since a teacher is with students eight hours a day over a 170 day school year, they have an immeasurable influence on a child’s development.
Callis and his staff strive to challenge students while preparing them comprehensively for the realities of the world they will inherit. One of the hallmarks of a Mt. Bethel education is the integration of technology into the classroom curriculum. In addition to ActivBoards, SmartBoards, and student response systems, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy boasts 8 Mac labs, including iMac, iPad, iPod Touch, and MacBooks.
“We strive to prepare children well academically and spiritually, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t also prepare them to leverage technology in the most appropriate and effective ways,” Callis said.
“Choosing Mt. Bethel means that a child will be afforded every advantage and every opportunity to reach their fullest
potential. Partly because of our investment in technology, but more importantly because of our investment in people.”
As a non-denomintional faith-based school, MBCA offers a Christ-centered approach that is evident in many areas such as the servant leadership requirement for students. A championship sports program is an important part of the middle school experience and MBCA fields teams in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and volleyball. The teams compete in the North Atlanta Metro League and were three time recipients of the NAML cup for the best overall sports program.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy operates on a rolling admission basis. Students must complete admissions testing prior to acceptance. Tours for parents of prospective students are offered every Wednesday at 10am. Parent-only open houses for the 2011-12 school year will be held on November 9, January 18 and January 26 at 10am.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is located at 4385 Lower Roswell Road in East Cobb, adjacent to Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church. For more information, contact Rhea Adkins, Director of Admission, at 770-9710245 or visit them online at www.mtbethelchristian.org.
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Open Houses
November 9 • January 18 • January 26 10am
s Jim Callis, Headmaster
s Students working on the computers are: Clifton Shepherd, Laney Brooks, Ellen Williams, Bailey Yeager, Kaitlin Miniutti, and Stephen Tonge. In the row behind, Nick Couch.
s Soccer player Ben Albizzatti
Private School Guide
While the public schools in East Cobb County do a good job of providing a quality education, many East Cobb parents seek out “a better fit” for their junior scholars. Finding a quality private school can be a daunting task. As a first step, take a look at our sixth annual list of private schools. Many of these schools will be hosting Open Houses this month, and quite a few have registration deadlines in January or February. So if you are considering private education, now is the time to investigate your options.
Atlanta Academy, The 2000 Holcomb Woods Parkway
Roswell 30076
678-461-6102
www.atlantaacademy.com
Tuition: $7,400-$12,400
Grades: 18mos-8
Students: 220
Head of School: Angela Naples
Atlanta International School 2890 North Fulton Drive
Atlanta 30305
404-841-3840
www.aischool.org
Tuition: $18,092--$20,640
Grades: 4K-12
Students: 1,000
Headmaster: Kevin Glass
Atlanta Girls’ School 3254 Northside Parkway NW Atlanta 30327
404-845-0900
www.atlantagirlsschool.org
Tuition: $19,200 Grades: 6-12
Students: 220
Head of School: Pinney L. Allen
Blessed Trinity Catholic High School
11320 Woodstock Road
Roswell 30075
678-277-9083
www.btcatholic.org
Tuition: $10,950
Grades: 9-12
Students: 960
Principal: Frank Moore
Brandon Hall School 1701 Brandon Hall Drive
Atlanta 30350
770-394-8177
www.brandonhall.org
Tuition: $25,000-$47,000 Grades: 5-12
Students: 140
Headmaster:
Dr. John L. Singleton
Casa Montessori 150 Powers Ferry Road Marietta 30067
770-973-2731
www.casamontessori.com
Tuition: $7,800-$10,100
Grades: PreK-6
Students: 160
Directors: Florence & Suzanne Johnson
Chrysalis Experiential Academy 10 Mansell Court East, Suite 500 Roswell 30076
770-649-7077
www.chrysalisexp.org
Tuition: 17,000-$20,000 Grades: 6-12
Students: 60
Director: Richard Becker
Cottage School, The 700 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell 30075
770-641-8688
www.cottageschool.org
Tuition: $22,950 Grades: 6-12
Students: 150
Director: Jacque Digieso
Creative Career Academy 2108 Briarcliff Road
Atlanta 30329
770-354-6535
www.creativecareeracademy.com
Tuition: $4,500 - $12,000 depending on grade level
Grades: K - 12
Students: 8 full time and 24 part time students Head of School: Jessica Henley
Cumberland Academy of Georgia
650 Mt. Vernon Highway NE
Atlanta 30328
404-835-9000
www.cumberlandacademy.org
Tuition: $19,900
Grades: 4-12
Students: 62
Principal: Don Sasso
Davis Academy 8105 Roberts Drive Atlanta 30350
770-671-0085
www.davisacademy.org
Tuition: $14,000-$17,000
Grades: K-8
Students: 630
Head of School: Amy Shafron
Private School Guide
East Cobb Christian School
4616 Roswell Road
Marietta 30062
770-565-0881
www.eccs.org
Tuition: $4,000-$7,000 Grades: K-8
Students: 130
Principal: Teresa Staley
East Cobb Prep 3875 Shallowford Road
Marietta 30062
770-649-0415
www.eastcobbprep.com
Tuition: $10,244-$11,960
Grades: Infants-PreK
Students: 150
Principal: Erin Fleishman
Eastside Christian School
2450 Lower Roswell Road
Marietta 30068
770-971-2332
www.eastsidechristianschool.com
Tuition: $4,868-$6,710 Grades: K5-8
Students: 331
Head of School: Judith Cripps
Eaton Academy 1000 Old Roswell Lakes Parkway Roswell 30076
770-645-2673
www.EatonAcademy.org
Tuition: $17,900-$18,900
Grades: K-12
Students: 100
President: Bridget Eaton-Partalis
Epstein School, The 335 Colewood Way NW
Sandy Springs 30328
404-250-5600
www.epsteinatlanta.org
Tuition: $5,995-$17,880
Grades: 18mos-8
Students: 600
Head of School: Stan Beiner
Faith Lutheran School 2111 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068
770-973-8921
www.faithmarietta.com/ school
Tuition: $3,500-$6,675
Grades: 2 yrs-8
Students: 230
Principal: Jack D. Hibbs
Fellowship Christian School 10965 Woodstock Road Roswell 30075 770-641-6816
www.fellowshipchristianschool.org
Tuition: $3,090-$12,717
Grades: K4-12
Students: 753
Headmaster: Bob Burris
Greenfield Hebrew Academy 5200 Northland Drive NE Atlanta 30342
Mill Springs Academy 13660 New Providence Road Alpharetta 30004 770-360-1336
www.millsprings.org
Tuition: $20,069 Grades: 1-12
Students: 305
Headmaster: Robert W. Moore
Private School Guide
Mount Paran Christian School 1275 Stanley Road Kennesaw 30152 770-578-0182
www.mtparanschool.com
Tuition: $2,857-$14,660 Grades: PreK3-12
Students: 1,207
Headmaster: Dr. David Tilley
Mount Vernon Presbyterian School
471 Mt. Vernon Highway NE (PreK-6) 510 Mt. Vernon Highway NE (7-12) Atlanta 30328
404-252-3448
www.mvpschool.com
Tuition: $8,760-$16,430
Grades: PreK-12
Students: 775
Head of School: Dr. J. Brett Jacobsen
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy 4385 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068
770-971-0245
www.mtbethelchristian.org
Tuition: $9,015-$10,800
Grades: PreK-8
Students: 486
Head of School: Jim R. Callis
North Cobb Christian School 4500 Lakeview Drive Kennesaw 30144 770-975-0252
www.ncchristian.org
Tuition: $3,285-$10,995
Grades: K3-12
Students: 780
Head of School: Todd Clingman
Omega Private Academy 2960 Shallowford Road
Marietta 30066
www.omegaprivateacademy.com
Tuition: $984/month
Grades: Pre-K - 12
Students: 15
Head of School: Kathy Keeton
Pace Academy 966 W. Paces Ferry Road NW Atlanta 30327
404-262-1345
www.paceacademy.org
Tuition: $18,850-$21,700
Grades: K-12
Students: 1,040
Head of School: Frederick Assaf
The Wood Acres School
Private School Guide
Pathways Academy School for Dyslexia
4010 Canton Road, Ste. 120 Marietta 30066
770-973-5588
www.pathwaysacademy.org
Tuition: $17,000
Grades: 1-6
Students: 25
Principal: Tina Pierson
Porter Academy
200 Cox Road Roswell 30075
770-594-1313
www.porteracademy.org
Tuition: $18,000
Grades: PreK-8
Students: 60
Principal: Barbara Ramer
Queen of Angels Catholic School 11340 Woodstock Road Roswell 30075 770-518-1804
www.qaschool.org
Tuition: $6,900
Grades: K-8
Students: 504
Principal: Kathy Wood
Riverside Military Academy 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville 30501
770-532-6251
www.riversidemilitary.com
Tuition: $17,150-$28,600
Grades: 7-12
Students: 347
Academic Dean: Jim Robison, Ph.D.
Schenck School, The 282 Mt. Paran Road NW Atlanta 30327
404-252-2591
www.schenck.org
Tuition: $24,835-$26,280
Grades: K-6
Students: 250
Head of School: Gena W. Calloway
Shiloh Hills Christian School 260 Hawkins Store Road Kennesaw 30144
770-926-7729
www.shilohhills.com
Tuition: $4,325-$7,345
Grades: PreK3-12
Students: 270
Principal: John D. Ward
Shreiner Academy 1340 Terrell Mill Road Marietta 30067
770-953-1340
www.shreiner.com
Tuition: N/A
Grades: 2K-8
Students: 200
Head of School: Sarah Walker
Sophia Academy 2880 Dresden Drive Atlanta 30341
404-303-8722
www.sophiaacademy.org
Tuition: $20,200
Grades: K-9
Students: 100
Director: Marie S. Corrigan
Early Start for Dream Jobs
s Jessica Henley
In one classroom, several students are engaged in 3D computer modeling. Next door, future chefs are concocting French pastries. And down the hall, designers are creating a jacket for a class project. Where do you find all of these classes under one roof?
Jessica Henley, creator and founder of Henley’s Haven Workshops for Kids and Creative Career Academy, describes her workshops and school as mini art institutes where students can explore their career interests at an early age. She began offering animation classes in 2008 with eight students in attendance. During this past summer, 270 students passed through her doors, gaining knowledge in a host of different disciplines.
The Henley’s Haven Workshops for Kids, which currently offers classes each Saturday and during the summer months, is located in Roswell. Here students grades K-12 can sign up for 1½ hour classes for 15 week semesters on Saturdays. During the summer, classes are offered on a weekly basis. Some of the subjects include animation and video game design, app development and web design, fashion design, photography, and digital filmmaking.
The success of Henley’s Haven Workshops has led her to start a full-time accredited private school for K-12 located on Briarcliff Rd. in Atlanta. Beginning in August 2011, this nontraditional school called Creative Career Academy allows for the same academic curriculum that students receive in public school. However, Henley’s students pick a “major” in school and can start their life skills training at an early age. Some of the courses offered are animation, video game design, digital filmmaking, IT/computer science, fashion design, culinary arts, acting, and interior design. Because the school schedule has specific days for academic and career courses, students who are home schooled can attend the days when career classes are taught.
Henley’s Haven Workshops for Kids is located at 770 Old Roswell Rd., Suite B-2500, Roswell, GA 30076. For more information or to schedule a Saturday class for the upcoming 2012 semester, visit www.henleyworkshops.com or call 678/602-3675. Creative Career Academy is located at 2108 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329. For more information, visit www.creativecareeracademy.com or call 770/354-6535.
St. Francis Day School 9375 Willeo Road
Roswell 30075
770-641-8257
www.saintfrancisschools.com
Tuition: $9,500-$16,500
Grades: PreK-8
Students: 500
Admissions: Ellen Brown
St. Francis High School 13440 Cogburn Road
Alpharetta 30004
678-339-9989
www.saintfrancisschools.com
Tuition: $16,500-$17,250
Grades: 9-12
Students: 300
Admissions: Brandon Bryan
St. Joseph Catholic School 81 Lacy Street Marietta 30060
770-428-3328
www.stjosephschool.org
Tuition: $5,791-$7,528
Grades: K-8
Students: 490
Principal: Patricia Allen
St. Jude The Apostle School 7171 Glenridge Drive NE Atlanta 30328
770-394-2880
www.saintjude.net
Tuition: $6,656-$7,975
Grades: K-8
Students: 523
Principal: Zia Davis
St. Martin’s Episcopal School 3110-A Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30319
404-237-4260
www.stmartinschool.org
Tuition: $10,500-$16,000
Grades: PreK3-8
Students: 575
Headmaster: Rev. Dr. James E. Hamner
Swift School, The 300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell 30075
678-205-4988
www.theswiftschool.org
Tuition: $20,685
Grades: 1-7
Students: 166
Head of School: Richard J. Wendlek
Private School Guide
Trinity School 4301 Northside Parkway
Atlanta 30327
404-231-8118
www.trinityatl.org
Tuition: $2,500-$19,100
Grades: 3yrs-6
Students: 650
Principal: Stephen G. Kennedy
Walker School, The 700 Cobb Parkway North Marietta 30062
678-581-6921
www.thewalkerschool.org
Tuition: $10,040-$17,950
Grades: PreK-12
Students: 1,046
Head of School: Jack Hall
Weber School, The 6751 Roswell Road
Atlanta 30328
404-917-2500
www.weberschool.org
Tuition: $20,880
Grades: 9-12
Students: 225
Head of School: Sim Pearl
Westminster Schools, The 1424 West Paces Ferry Road NW
Atlanta 30327
404-355-8673
www.westminster.net
Tuition: $18,375-$21,315
Grades: Pre1st-12
Students: 1,855
Principal: William Clarkson IV
Whitefield Academy 1 Whitefield Drive Mableton 30126
678-305-3000
www.whitefieldacademy.com
Tuition: $9,400-$18,750
Grades: PreK4-12
Students: 646
Headmaster: Dr. John H. Lindsell
Wood Acres School, The 1772 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta 30062 770-971-1880
www.woodacresschool.org
Tuition: $3,000-$9,000
Grades: Preschool-7
Students: 450
Head of School: Judy Thigpen
Mill Springs Academy
“Thanks to Mill
Academy
Open House
MSA parent
Barbara Talbott
Fellowship Fits Families
While Fellowship celebrates 25 years of partnering with Christian parents to provide their children a distinctly Christian college-preparatory education, preparing for the next 25 years will be a priority for Fellowship’s fourth headmaster, Dr. Bob Burris.
“I am blessed to join an already exceptional school where both the faculty and families are united in wanting the school to grow,” extolls Dr. Burris. “Over the next 18-24 months, we will take time to revisit and update the school’s strategic plan, update the school’s technology, and capitalize on the resource opportunities that will enable us to expand both the school’s fiscal plan and program opportunities. I look forward to working obediently to fulfill God’s vision for Fellowship.”
Academically, our 2011 Senior class posted arealeading SAT average scores of 1682. Artistically, our students discover, refine, and sharpen their talent through the passionate guidance of our experienced Art Department faculty. Athletically, 83 percent of our students competed on GHSA sanctioned teams last year. Spiritually, our students are taught from a biblical worldview perspective and live their faith through community service programs, weekly chapel services, and individual projects designed to deepen their faith in Christ.
Your family is invited to find your place at Fellowship by visiting us Thursdays at 10 a.m. for a tour or by attending our November 8th (Elementary) and November 9 (Middle & High school) Open House events.
s Dr. Burris, his wife, Jennifer, and his daughters Emily, (right) and Sophie (left) walking the Fellowship campus.
s Dr. Bob Burris
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EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Wherever Your Neighborhood May Be YOUR
Open House & Dessert Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 7pm Join us for Open Houses
at 9:30 am
Open House and Dessert Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7pm
